Marriott's Desert Springs Villa 1 Palm Desert

... for some pictures. I decided to shin up a nearby rock and successfully got some shots without tumbling apex over base all the way back down to Palm Springs. Sadly my poise was nowhere in evidence when I made my way the eight feet back down the rock. I fell over once and whilst the congregation were all looking my way to check I was OK – I fell over again. Oh the comedy!

That was enough snow for one day!

... head and take a look but Zooey is a whole level above all of these – I would watch her read the yellow pages (but it would be better if she sang it as she had a lovely voice – check out She and Him Vol 1)

What I listened to: The Dylan-a-thon continues to continue but I did have a diversion into Writers Block by Peter Bjorn and John on my N86. A great album most known for Young Folks but with many more and better tracks.

... chile verde tamales, enchildas, fideo, salad and Spanish rice, all made from scratch! Seriously the best Spanish food I've ever had! Today Jo, grandpa mondo and I went to fantasy springs casino about 1-2 hr away from our villa. Won about $30. Played the slots for about 3 hours. Super fun! Now Jo and I are in bed waiting for the parentals to get back to go out to dinner with crazy uncle Bobby and fiancé! Haha.

... thanks to my keen sense of direction. Martin is quickly descending back down the to the trail. I follow and my sore left knee streaks with pain. Traversing the rest of the way very is done cautiously. It's just less than 10 miles into the hike. We have 12 more to go. A make shift walking stick is procured and the hobble to the summit begins.
-This is a gorgeous part of the trail. There are cedar trees and white granite boulders scattered on the steep ...

So Leah and I made it out to California last week and attended Festival 8 for Phish's Halloween weekend.

I've been to one of the previous 7 festivals and they've played 5 Halloween shows. This is their first Halloween festival and my first holiday experience. The best part of the evening is when they cover another band's entire album, taking it on as a "musical costume". This time was The Rolling Stone's Exile on Main ...

Good morning from 29 Palms Golf Resort. Our first night spent camping was a success. I am surprised that I slept pretty well and I even slept through the entire night.... in a car!!!

We are actually in an RV Park, which is quite a strange introduction to camping. When I think of camping, I imagine lush greenery and perhaps a ...

... As you can imagine if you have ever been hiking with me, I was beyond winded within ten minutes and by the time we begin catapulting our bodies against rock walls and grasping desperately at any small nook in the rock that could potentially get us over a ten foot gap and by the time I was thoroughly bloodied and bruised, they only thoughts that ran through my head were flashes of me accidentally and exhaustedly placing some part of my body directly on top of the ...

... animals
running onto the street. We took the palm springs aerial tram up onto
the mountains. The 10 minute ride gives you amazing vies of the
mountains. It is a very pretty place to see and our last stop. I loved
our time here in California and there are many memories we will take
back with us.

We left Arizona yesterday morning, after a VERY early wake up call (4:15 a.m.!) to get Jess and Tom to their 6:30 a.m. flight. The 4+ hour drive seemed longer than usual, even though we gained an hour and got a good early start...must have been because we were both sleepy. Arrived at our Thousand Trails park here in Palm Desert around lunch time, got set up and went for a swim, which felt really refreshing, but didn't keep ...

... I tried my best to take on the role as co-bestman with my buddy Eric. I didnt know there were so many jobs, like the roast and the toast, the bachelor party and of course decorating the car but all were fun and I think the whole deal went down well. From here it is back to Costa Rica where I wont see my family again until May 26! See you there...